150 graduate Pattaya weekend language course

More than 150 students earned diplomas in Pattaya’s first weekend language course.

Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome handed out certificates Aug. 17 to 160 of the 307 students who enrolled in the city’s “non-formal education” project to teach English, Russian and Chinese once a week for 24 weeks.

Graduate Rungarun Jumanat, who works at Central Festival Pattaya Beach, said the weekend course helped her immensely. She said she can now comfortably converse with the many foreign tourists who shop at the beachfront mall.

Yuwadee Phetcharith, head of the Non-Formal Education Office, said the program fulfilled the needs of Pattaya residents, especially those who work with tourists.

Classes were taught once each week at Pattaya schools Nos. 4, 6 and 7 and utilized 6 Thai and 4 foreign teachers. The free courses will be offered each year with signups for the next course beginning in January. Applications can be made at Pattaya City Hall’s Non-Formal Education Office.